Reputed British paper Guardian, has written a detailed account of Shandur Polo, played at the world’s highest ground, and appreciated people’s resolve to hold the festival despite militancy threat. “Despite fears of a Taliban attack, high in Pakistan’s Hindu Kush, a historic sporting tournament carried on regardless,” Guardian’s noted writer Declan Walsh wrote.
But this epic spectacle, which unfolded in Pakistan’s North West Frontier province this week, was a matter of sport, not war. And despite threats of dire violence, there wasn’t a Taliban fighter in sight, he wrote in his dispatch from Shandur.
Every summer polo teams from the mountain districts of Chitral and Gilgit converge on the Shandur Pass, a spectacular natural stadium surrounded by snow-sprinkled peaks which, at an altitude of over 12,000 ft, is the world’s highest polo ground.
He wrote that this year the tournament was nearly cancelled as the district mayor called on the government to scrap the festival, arguing it was disrespectful to the soldiers who lost their lives at the hands of Taliban.
Walsh goes on to add that at a public rally days later, district mayor’s supporters issued a more sinister warning: that there could be a Taliban suicide attack.
“After intense backroom talks, and the deployment of extra security, the organisers prevailed.”
He quoted Siraj ul Mulk, a member of the princely family of Chitral, as having said: “They are just creating a fear factor, it’s precisely because of distractions like this that our people are not falling prey to the Taliban.”
He noted that a small tented city sprung up around the pitch, where 200 foreigners joined thousands of locals for the match.
In the end Chitral won the final, thrashing Gilgit by 10 goals to two - their fourth victory in a row.
But there was one surprise - a visit from the mayor, Walsh wrote.
The mayor appeared to have a change of heart, or a recognition of reality. “A great game,” he said in a short half-time speech, “that sends a positive signal to the world.”
Coutesty: Guardian & APP